What does therapy at Onward Healing look like?

At Onward Healing, we specialize in evidence-based treatments for OCD, anxiety, BFRBs, tics, and trauma. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and conducted via secure telehealth video. Treatment is collaborative — we work together to understand what's keeping you stuck and build skills to help you move forward. Depending on your goals, we may use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), the ComB model, EMDR, or other structured approaches.

Do you accept insurance?

We are currently out-of-network with all insurance providers. This means we do not bill insurance directly. However, many clients are able to use out-of-network benefits to get partial reimbursement. We can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company. We recommend calling your insurance provider before starting to understand your out-of-network mental health benefits.

How does telehealth therapy work?

All sessions at Onward Healing are conducted via secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Once you're scheduled, you'll receive a link to join the session from wherever you are — your home, office, or anywhere private. Telehealth is just as effective as in-person therapy for the conditions we treat, and many clients find it more convenient and accessible.

What states do you serve?

We are currently licensed to provide therapy in Pennsylvania (PA), Vermont (VT), and Florida (FL). You must be physically located in one of these states at the time of your session.

How long will I need therapy?

This varies widely depending on your goals, the severity of your symptoms, and your engagement with treatment. Some clients see significant improvement in 12-16 sessions; others prefer ongoing support over a longer period. We'll discuss your goals at the outset and check in regularly on your progress.

What is ERP therapy, and is it right for me?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for OCD and certain anxiety disorders. It involves gradually facing feared situations or thoughts (exposure) while resisting compulsions or avoidance behaviors (response prevention). It sounds challenging — and it can be — but it's also highly effective. We move at a pace that feels manageable, and you're never pushed into anything you're not ready for.

What are BFRBs, and can therapy help?

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are repetitive, self-directed behaviors like hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), nail biting, and cheek chewing. These behaviors are often automatic and can cause significant distress or physical harm. Evidence-based treatments like Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and the Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) model have strong research support and can lead to meaningful reduction in urges and behaviors.

How do I get started?

The easiest first step is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. This call gives us a chance to learn about what you're struggling with, answer any questions you have, and see if we're a good fit. There's no pressure and no commitment. You can book directly through our website or reach out by email.

Is postpartum OCD the same as postpartum psychosis?

No ? they are fundamentally different conditions. Postpartum psychosis involves a break from reality and ego-syntonic beliefs, and is a psychiatric emergency. Postpartum OCD is the opposite: the thoughts are ego-dystonic ? they horrify the person having them. Decades of research show that people with postpartum OCD do not act on their intrusive thoughts. The distress you feel is evidence that you have OCD, not psychosis.

Am I a danger to my baby because I'm having these thoughts?

No. Up to 80% of new parents ? without OCD ? report at least occasional intrusive thoughts about accidental harm coming to their baby. What's different in postpartum OCD is the response to those thoughts: anxiety, shame, avoidance, and compulsions. People who actually harm children are not distressed by harm-related thoughts. The fact that your thoughts horrify you is the strongest possible indicator that you are safe.

How is postpartum OCD different from regular OCD?

Postpartum OCD has the same underlying mechanism as other OCD ? intrusive thoughts plus compulsions to neutralize them ? but the content is parenting-themed. Common themes include fear of harming the baby, fear of contamination passing to the baby, sexual intrusive thoughts about the baby, and fear of being a bad parent. ERP works the same way for postpartum OCD as for other subtypes.

Can I do ERP while breastfeeding, sleep-deprived, or with a newborn at home?

Yes. Postpartum OCD treatment is designed for the realities of caring for a newborn. Sessions are via telehealth, so no childcare is needed. Exposures are paced and individualized. Many clients find that starting treatment improves sleep within a few sessions, because reduced anxiety means better rest.

Should I tell my OB or pediatrician what I'm experiencing?

That decision is yours, but most postpartum OCD specialists encourage it. Educated providers will recognize the difference between postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis. Telling them does not automatically trigger a child welfare report ? that's a common myth. If you're worried about how a provider might respond, the free consultation is a good place to think through what to say.

What if I'm scared to say my thoughts out loud?

Understandable. Nina has heard every version of every intrusive thought ? harm, sexual, religious, contamination. Nothing you share will be shocking, and everything is held in strict confidentiality. Part of postpartum OCD recovery is learning that saying these thoughts out loud doesn't make them real or more dangerous. We go at your pace.

How long until I feel better with postpartum OCD treatment?

Most postpartum OCD clients see meaningful symptom reduction within 12?20 ERP sessions, though some see noticeable change in the first few weeks. Treatment is structured and time-limited ? the goal is to give you skills you can use on your own, not to keep you in therapy indefinitely.

Do you treat dads, non-birthing parents, and adoptive parents with postpartum OCD?

Yes. Postpartum OCD is not limited to people who give birth. Dads, non-birthing partners, and adoptive parents can all develop postpartum-onset OCD, and the treatment is the same. Postpartum OCD in non-birthing parents is even more underdiagnosed than in birthing parents.

Will my insurance cover postpartum OCD therapy?

Onward Healing Therapy is private-pay. A superbill is provided after each session for out-of-network reimbursement, which many PPO plans cover at 40?80% after the deductible. For specialized postpartum OCD treatment, private-pay typically means faster access to a trained specialist and uninterrupted care.

What happens on the free postpartum OCD consultation?

The free 15-minute video call is a no-pressure conversation. You'll share what you're experiencing, ask any questions about postpartum OCD or ERP, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There's no commitment, no judgment, and no sales pitch. If postpartum OCD isn't quite the right fit, Nina will point you toward appropriate resources.

Postpartum OCD: Intrusive Thoughts About Your Baby?

Onward Healing Therapy is a private-pay specialty telehealth practice serving adults in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Florida. Founder Nina Eberly, PhD, LCSW. The content on this site is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice or establish a therapist-client relationship. If you are in immediate distress, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Postpartum OCD: Intrusive Thoughts About Your Baby?

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